Jenifer

PhD, Technical Communication Manager and Veterinarian @Purina

Jenifer
Purina Ingredients

Purina Ingredients

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Does more protein mean better nutrition for my pet?

More protein does not necessarily mean better nutrition. Although, the protein level is one of the key points to take into account when choosing your pet food, the objective is to ensure that the food contains the required amount of protein for the specific needs of the pet (taking into account life stage and/or illnesses the animal could suffer from). Another important point to consider is the protein digestibility, as we need to ensure the pet will be able to use the protein efficiently. At Purina, we work with experts in nutrition to formulate our products and we ensure quality and digestibility of the protein through exhaustive quality controls.

When proteins are consumed in excess, the body will not have the capacity to store them and, therefore, the excessive protein will not be used to create more muscle mass. Consequently, the excess of protein will probably end up in urine or faeces, which is not harmful for pets, as long as they are healthy. However, feeding pets an excessive quantity of proteins may become an environmental issue, given the amount of excreted nitrogen that comes from the protein metabolism.

Therefore, feeding extra protein, in excess of the amount that your pet requires, provides no health benefit to your pet and can potentially contribute to environmental problems.